Re-sign or let walk: Packers free agency predictions

Richard Rodgers, Tight End

After catching the Miracle in Motown, Richard Rodgers has been fairly quiet as a Green Bay Packer.

Since he came into the league in 2014, he has been a valuable red zone option for Aaron Rodgers. You’ve seen the play in San Francisco. Aaron buys a good 10 seconds in and out of the pocket and finds Richard in a super tight window in the end zone. That touchdown is easily one of Aaron’s most underrated moments ever.

When Aaron went down with the collarbone injury, Richard was fairly quiet (along with many other players on offense too). He posted career-lows in 2017. Richard had just 160 yards receiving on 12 receptions for one touchdown.

For a “red zone” threat, those numbers are pitiful. Granted he played with a backup quarterback who never really gave him the football.

Even though the Packers signed former Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, I still think there is room for Rodgers on the team. He would be a great number two option behind Graham, especially since Graham isn’t the best outside of the red zone.

Verdict: Re-sign

Jeff Janis, Wide Receiver

When the Packers drafted Jeff Janis in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, I had high hopes for the Saginaw Valley State standout.

He has a rare combination of size and speed that would make any fan excited to have on your team. However, he lacked in pass catching and route running.

Clearly, he was going to have to develop a lot in order to become a major contributor, but he had a lot of potential.

However, he never really became the threat he once had the potential of. He never really broke out on offense, except for maybe that playoff game in Arizona.

Janis then became a huge contributor on special teams, namely punt coverage. It seemed that at least once every game, Janis would make a huge play as a gunner in punt coverage. His athleticism allowed him to do that.

Other than that, he never really had any impact. Maybe it was because the Packers never let him play on offense.

There was a reason for that. I saw it too many times. When Janis was in the game, the Packers would go deep to him, ultimately, he rarely came down with the ball.

Case in point, his 2015 season. Of the 12 times he was targeted, he only caught the ball twice. Those two receptions averaged 39.5 yards per reception.

The Packers have no room for that inconsistency in their offense. The impact he made on special teams is easily replaceable.

Verdict: Let him walk